The Harris County Appraisal District has mailed a confirmation postcard to all homeowners currently on file with a homestead exemption.

Homeowners should receive a postcard in their mailbox verifying they have a homestead exemption on their property. This is an annual mailing by HCAD to homeowners confirming their homeowner exemption is in place. An exemption excludes all or part of a property from taxation, so homeowners with an exemption are eligible for the tax break that exemption provides.

Homeowners do not need to do anything if the type of homestead exemption listed on the postcard is correct. HCAD will automatically renew their homestead exemption unless the property owner informs HCAD differently. Exemptions include Residence Homestead, Over-65, Disabled Person Exemptions and Disabled Veteran Exemptions.

If the card is returned, HCAD will cancel the homestead exemption and send the owner a letter asking them to reapply if they believe they are still entitled to the exemption.

More Information

About HCAD

The Harris County Appraisal District is a political subdivision of the State of Texas established in 1980 for the purpose of discovering and appraising property for ad valorem tax purposes for each taxing unit within the boundaries of the district. The district has more than 1.8 million parcels of property to assess each year with a total market value of approximately $575 billion. The appraisal district in Harris County is the largest in Texas, serving approximately 500 taxing units, and one of the largest appraisal districts in the United States. For further information, visitwww.hcad.org.

A change in ownership also includes the death of an owner or the transfer of ownership through divorce proceedings. If either event has occurred during the year, the survivor or new owner should contact the appraisal district. Not reporting changes could mean substantial tax penalty liabilities later on.

Homeowners who have recently turned 65 or have qualified for disability under Social Security should also contact the appraisal district and apply for the additional exemption available to over-65 or totally disabled individuals.

For more information on homestead exemptions, over-65 exemptions, disabled person exemptions and disabled veteran exemption, call the HCAD Information Center at 713.957.7800, or go to the district's website atwww.hcad.org where you can find exemption information and applications under the Forms tab on the top tool bar.